Before
I attempt to answer your questions, I must be honest and say that
this is a cloudy area for me. My answers reflect only my opinions
and observations thus far in my journey in the Enlightenment process.
I don't remember personally the death process, however I have friends
who have died, and once knew someone who had a near-death experience,
and I've read some and talked with some teachers, so perhaps this
information can be of use to you. As always, be true to your own
heart when seeking answers, for Wisdom is within you.
1.
How long do we go through the Bardo state and do we have awareness
while at that state?
Time
is a relative measure. You may have noticed sometimes when you meditate
it feels like only a few seconds have passed, and when you check
the clock, an hour has passed. Or you may remember waiting for an
important phone call and each minute seemed like five hours. Time,
in the sense that we measure it here, is not relevant to the Bardo
state. Yes, we do have awareness while in the Bardo. Many teachers
say that the level of awareness you have in the Bardo is the same
level of awareness you had at the moment of death. This teaches
us the importance of continually focusing on those things that keep
our awareness very high. This way, we are always prepared for death.
2.
Why do ghosts and the likes come back to Earth if they are supposed
to be in the Bardo state?
Attachment.
If the deceased remains firmly attached to a person or place, a
strand of their energy will return over and over to that person
or place. Likewise, if a living person is extremely attached to
a deceased being, that energy line could continue to exist through
the Bardo.
3.
Is it (the Bardo state) the same kind of awareness we have now while
we are alive?
Yes.
However, most people become extremely confused upon entering the
Bardo It is a place of pure energy that lacks the solidity we get
used to in the physical world.
4.
What is the difference between being there (in a Bardo state) and
being on earth. It
would seem to be better if we don't have to eat, sleep or go to
work while in the Bardo state. Why do people want to reincarnate
to Earth if we still have the same awareness while in the Bardo
state?
Human
beings are creatures of habit. We love to return to what is familiar
to us. Familiarity provides a sense of security. In the Bardo state,
the energy is very fluid, so the projections of the mind occur very
quickly. In the physical, we can think about going somewhere, prepare
for the trip, and then go. In the Bardo, once you think it, you're
there. We reincarnate in order to find a safe place. Upon realizing
that there is no body, most beings freak out and try to find one
as quickly as possible. A highly aware being, however, would be
able to handle the confusion and use their awareness to land in
the highest vibration place possible. Because of the extreme fluidity
of the Bardo, it is very difficult to stay in that condition. The
Tibetan Book of the Dead is a road map of the Bardo created to guide
practitioners into the realization of Enlightenment through the
Bardo, and if they miss the opportunity of realization, into the
highest possible birth.
5.
Can't we get enlightenment in that state if all is Eternity?
Yes,
just like here. If the being can realize that all of this is Illusion,
the being can become aware of and experience Enlightenment. Bonus
question: "What happens to an enlightened being (or powerful sorcerer)
after he/she dies?" An Enlightened being is one who was never born--so
how can they die? Only the being with karma is subject to the wheel
of rebirth. The Enlightened have a choice about projecting a physical
manifestation or not. A powerful sorcerer is not necessarily Enlightened,
so his/her death would depend upon the state of awareness when they
left the physical body.
Jenna
